Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Type of course

Admission requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), or an equivalent qualification, with a minimum of 80 ECTS within tourism, out-door recreation, event studies, marketing and communication, social sciences, humanities or education.

International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equicalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand: An average grade C is a minimum requirement.

International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in countries other than the above mentioned region/countries: An average grade B is a minimum requirement in addition to fulfilling formal admission requirements for Master's level entry.

Non-EU applicants need to have a Higher Education Entrance Qualification from their home countries and certified fulfilment of English language requirements.

Application code: 9731 (nordic applicants)

Course content

Objectives of the course

Students should obtain the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge: the student should have

• specialized knowledge regarding various ontological and epistemological assumptions applicable to social science research into tourism
• an in-depth knowledge of philosophical assumptions that underpin methodological considerations in tourism-related social science research
• a thorough knowledge of key philosophical notions tha impact on ethical considerations in tourism-related social sciences research, which include critical perspectives.

Skills: the student sholud be able to

• identify ontological and epistemological assumptions associated with tourism-related social sciences research
• explain how philosophical assumptions inflict on methodological designs of tourism research projects
• critically reflect on relationships between philosophical assumptions, methodologies and ethics in tourism research

Competence: the student should be able to

• convey understanding of various ontological and epistemological assumptions in tourism-related social sciences research
• develop methodological frameworks for tourism research based on key philosophical assumptions
• propose ethically balanced approaches to tourism research, which include critical perspectives

Language of instruction

Teaching methods

Lectures will be given in an intensive mode (classes given in blocks) in spring semester only. The students are expected to work 280 hours.

Teaching will consist of seven lectures (3x45 minutes), which include student involvement in classroom discussions, group and individual tasks. The students, alone or in smaller groups, will give on oral presentation and one set of feedback on another student's presentation.

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the quality systems of UiT - The Arctic University of Norway.

Assessment

Coursework: the following coursework requirements must be completed and approved in order to take the final exam

• one written home assignment
• 70% attendance in the lectures

Exam: the exam will consist of

• one 4-hour written school exam

The exam will be assessed on an A-F grades scale. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed.

A re-sit exam will be arranged for this course.

Exam: Individual school exam. Duration: 4 hours.

Grades A - E for passed exam, F for fail.

Possibility of re-sit exam in case of F.

Recommended reading/syllabus